Before importing food of animal origin
Before you can start to import a food of animal origin, you need to make sure that the product originates from an approved country and an approved establishment for export of the specific food category to EU. You need to check what model of health certificate is applicable for the specific food of animal origin that must be signed by the competent authority of the exporting establishment before the consignment is exported. All consignments with food of animal origin must be pre-notified in the system called TRACES.NT.
Approved country
The countries outside EU have to be approved by the EU Commission to be able to export consignments with food of animal origin to the EU.
Before you start to import food of animal origin, you need to check that the food of animal origin comes from an approved country for export to EU of the food of a certain animal origin. The exporting country also has to have an approved residue plan for antibiotics etcetera.
You have to check the list of approved country in regulation 2021/405 or regulation 2021/404, depending what food of animal origin it is. Then you have to check that the exporting country has an approved residue plan for antibiotics etcetera in the annex of decision 2011/163.
Swedish version of regulation
EU-förordning 2021/405
For an English version please see these links where you find the latest consolidated version and the latest corrected versions.
Eurolex Regulation 2021/405 and Regulation 2021/404
Decision 2011/163
Approved establishment
Food of animal origin (meat, fish, milk, egg and products there of) must come from an EU approved establishment in the country outside EU. Lists of establishments in non-EU countries approved for import to the EU can be found in the TRACES.NT system.
Non-EU countries authorised establishments
Health certificate
You need to check which model of health certificate the consignment of a certain food of animal origin needs. Every consignment of food of animal origin needs to be accompanied by a health certificate signed before departure by the competent authority of the exporting establishment.
Swedish version of regulation
EU-förordning 2020/2235
For an English version please see this link where you find the latest consolidated version and the latest corrected versions.
Regulation 2020/2235
Salmonella testing
All consignments containing fresh meat, or minced meat (with the exception of heat treated meat) are subject to salmonella control in the country of origin. So are hens' eggs for direct consumption. This has to be stated in the health certificate of the consignment.
Swedish version of regulation
EG-förordning 1688/2005
For an English version please see this link where you find the latest consolidated version and the latest corrected versions.
Eurolex Regulation 1688/2005
Prior notification
Every consignment of food of animal origin needs to be pre notified to the first Border Control Post (BCP) for entry into EU on CHEDP (Common Helath Entry Document) in the TRACES.NT-system.
TRACES.NT log in
Border control posts
Food of animal origin from countries outside the EU must be controlled at the first Border Control Post for entry into EU. The Swedish Border Control Posts may only receive packaged food of animal origin.
Swedish Border Control Posts for animal products
Fees
The basic charge for border control of a consignment containing foods of animal origin is 1300 SEK + 0.20 SEK per kg. Fees are higher if the inspection is carried out outside regular office hours. Sampling and analyses based on safeguard measures or suspicion of irregularities, are carried out at the expense of the importer.
Safeguard measures
Certain foods that are subjected to border control must undergo the controls stipulated in the relevant safeguard decisions.
Special import conditions
Imports of food of animal origin for private use
It is allowed to bring in food of animal origin in limited quantities for personal use in your own luggage or by post, except for meat and milk products. The reason for the strict rules in the EU is, among other things, that Member States want to reduce the risk of different types of infection entering the EU. Which products and what restrictions that are in place is regulated by the Swedish Board of Agriculture.
The Swedish Board of Agriculture
Commercial samples
If consignments with commercial samples of animal origin are to be consumed or if they are to be tested on a food establishment. They must pass through the Swedish Food Agency's border control as a commercial consignment to be border controlled. Samples that are not to be consumed and do not go to a food establishment are checked by the Swedish Board of Agriculture.
The Swedish Board of Agriculture
Reviewed 2022-06-23
